Houston-area students help classmate with diabetes

JDRF 2018 Promise Ball set for April 21

Published
11:35 am CDT, Saturday, April 14, 2018

On any given day, the Nottingham Elementary School second-grader endures five to 10 finger pricks and wears two devices to make sure that her blood sugar stays within a healthy range, but her classmates recently helped her to better cope with her disease.

Devin Dyer was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in December 2014 when she was 4.5-years-old. This spring, her class designed purses for her to use to carry a device that helps to keep her healthy.

According to JDRF, 1.25 million Americans live with the disease, including about 200,000 young people less than 20 years old.

"Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the person's body for reasons currently unknown attacks and kills the pancreas' ability to produce insulin, a hormone essential for life," said Devin's mother Erin Dyer. "There is a genetic link, although sometimes hard to connect, because in addition to genetics, this disease requires an environmental trigger as well. There are lots of theories on what the triggers may be, but we don't know for sure."

Erin said living with the disease can be "exhausting" at times because it is a never-ending fight. If Devin's blood sugar gets too low, it is an immediate emergency situation, and if her blood sugar gets too high, it can endanger her long-term health.

Because Devin's blood sugar needs to be constantly monitored, she wears a device called a Dexcom, which she also refers to as Dexi. It lets her caretakers — her parents, her teachers and the school nurse—know when her blood sugar is out of range so that they can take important steps for her care. Additionally, Devin wears an insulin pump, which is changed out every three days and gives her the insulin she needs without her having to face five to 10 shots every day.

Wearing the two devices constantly, Devin looks a little differently than her classmates, but her teacher Melanie Marshall said Devin set a standard of acceptance from the start of the school year.

"At the beginning of the year, we shared what we loved and what we disliked as a get-to-know-you activity. Devin shared she hated diabetes, which let her classmates know she wouldn't be gloating over her extra sugary snacks, pretty purses or her right to carry 'a phone' all day. That set the stage for peer compassion," Marshall said.

When it came time for Marshall to teach her students about measurements, she had them work together to create purses that Devin could use for her Dexcom. Marshall said the students learned about metric measurements as they came up with designs and experimented with different materials including duct tape, material, old clothes, boxes, paper, belts, ribbons, staples, thread and Velcro.

Marshall said some of the purses were put together by the students themselves while others were sewn by two adult family members of the school's students who offered to help. Realizing that boys also get Type 1 diabetes, the class worked on designs for a belt worn around the waist so that boys could use it for their Dexcom devices, Marshall said.

Erin said the process helped Devin to see that her classmates supported her and cared about her.

"It was such a fun experience for her," Erin said. "Her teacher, classmates and classmates' families went above and beyond and really took the project seriously — many making multiple Dexi purses. It showed her that she wasn't alone in her fight against Type 1 Diabetes and that her school community was with her."

One of the ways people can help families like Devin and her parents Erin and Chris Dyer is by supporting the local chapter of JDRF.

Jennifer Sotuyo, development director for JDRF Houston Gulf Coast Chapter, said the organization contributes to the community of Houston through research, mentor programs, support and events. She said it also offers resources to families who have recently received a diagnosis.

On April 21, the chapter is hosting its 2018 Promise Ball: "Through the Looking Glass" beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis Houston, located at 1777 Walker St., Houston.

Sotuyo said the evening will include activities, drinks, auctions and games.

"Guests will embark on a journey "through the looking glass" and experience a wonder-filled evening that includes characters from the classic story, amidst whimsical décor," Sotuyo said. "The event will include a themed specialty drink, the chance to win fabulous prizes in our silent and live auctions and our Young Leadership Committee After-Party sponsored by Liskow & Lewis, with casino games, a champagne reception and open bar."

According to Sotuyo, the annual event is the chapter's largest fundraiser and a way for the organization to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes.

"The overall goal of the evening is that people leave with a greater understanding of T1D and how it impacts the lives of those living with the disease [and those that care for them]. We want people to recognize that there is a difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes," Sotuyo said.